Karn Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah help Mumbai overcome Kolkata Knight Riders in Qualifier-2
Bangalore: Mumbai Indians (MI) entered the final of the ongoing IPL-X with a convincing six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Friday.
Chasing a mere target of 108 runs, MI notched up the win with more than five overs to spare. Krunal Pandya (45 n o, 30b, 8×4) showed maturity, finishing as Mumbai’s top scorer. Skipper Rohit Sharma (26, 24b, 1×4, 1×6) played a handy knock.
The duo stitched together a crucial 54 runs for the fourth wicket after Mumbai coming down to 34 for three in the sixth over. Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (2/34) was the most successful among the KKR bowlers.
Earlier, excellent spells by leg-spinner Karn Sharma (4/16) and death-over specialist Jasprit Bumrah (3/7) helped MI bowl out KKR for a paltry 107 with seven balls to spare.
Mumbai exploited the conditions and rattled Kolkata batsmen from the very first over, having them on the mat at 31 for five in seven overs, after Rohit Sharma opted to field. From 23 for one, KKR lost four wickets in next eight runs, losing Sunil Narine (four), Robin Uthappa (10), skipper Gautam Gambhir (12) and Colin de Grandhomme in quick successions.
However, Jharkhand batsman Ishank Jaggi (28, 31b, 3×4) and Surayakumar Yadav (31, 25b, 2×4, 1×6) put on 56 runs for the sixth wicket in 47 balls and saved KKR from further embarrassment.
Apart from Karn and Bumrah, former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson (2/28) was Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga (1/24) bowled brilliantly for the Mumbai outfit.
Brief scores
KKR 107 in 18.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 31; Karn Sharma 4/16, Jasprit Bumrah 3/7) lost to MI 111/4 in 14.3 overs (Krunal Pandya 45 n o; Piyush Chawla 2/34) by six wickets.
PTI
